Dealing with stress

We knew things were bad, but did not realise how bad. In choosing Jean Leonetti to be France’s minister for EU affairs, President Nicolas Sarkozy has opted for a practising cardiologist.

As stress levels in the eurozone rise, such expertise might come in handy around the headquarters of the Council of Ministers. Leonetti becomes France’s fifth minister for Europe since Sarkozy’s presidency began in 2007. His appointment followed the promotion of Laurent Wauquiez to education minister, in a reshuffle prompted in part by the departure of Christine Lagarde to the International Monetary Fund.